Peachtree Corners mayor issues statement about city charter changes

Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason issues statement about city charter changes. Courtesy City of Pechtree Corners

Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason issues statement about city charter changes. Courtesy City of Pechtree Corners

In response to concerns about proposed city charter changes, Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason released a message to citizens Jan. 10 stating changes are the result of the need to comply with current state law.

The goal of the city’s original charter as a “city-lite” was to maintain a limited service concept, keeping services provided directly by the city to a minimum. This requires the city to outsource to a public-public or public-private partnership for any other required services. For example, the city provides community development directly but outsources police service in a public-public partnership with Gwinnett.

Additionally, the concept required the use of a public referendum to approve adding more services directly thus allowing citizens the ultimate control over the size of government and higher taxes.

Under the legislature’s new rules, a city’s ability to meet its responsibility to provide services cannot be limited, even by a referendum.

To protect the city and attempt to honor the city’s founding concepts, city leaders are proposing a local ordinance to address the concerns. According to Mason, “We are proposing to adopt a local ordinance that would cap the millage rate at 1 mill and require a referendum should city council ever want to raise the millage above the 1 mill cap. In our current charter, only the legislature can increase the millage cap. Now, it will be in your hands.”

Peachtree Corners currently has a zero-millage rate with no plans to add a police force or increase public official’s salaries.

Information: www.peachtreecornersga.gov.